Agenda and minutes

To consider any announcements by the Mayor in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 3(2)(ii).

The Mayor referred with sadness to the death of former Councillor and Leader of the Council, Roger Stone and sent her sincere condolences to his wife, daughters, grandchildren and all of those who had been close to him.

The Mayor offered her warmest congratulations to Councillor Michael Sylvester on his marriage on 24thSeptember and noted that as a consequence Councillor Sylvester would be changing his surname to Bennett-Sylvester. 

The Mayor referred to the many Mayoral events that she had attended since the previous Council meeting, including:

·       attending the relaunch of the Rotherham Military Community Veterans Centrefollowing the Covid pandemic and the launch of the Hidden Faces Project.

·       taking part in the virtual judging of the Rotherham Garden Competition that had been organised by Housing Services.

·       attending the three-day Rotherham Show.

·       attending a Battle of Britain wreath laying and Memorial Service at the Clifton Park cenotaph.

·       visiting Anston Cricket Club to celebrate another successful season for the club and joining club members for afternoon tea.

To receive the apologies of any Member who is unable to attend the meeting.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Austin, Keenan, McClure, McNeely, Pitchley, Sansome and Wyatt.

Any communication received by the Mayor or Chief Executive which relates to a recommendation of the Cabinet or a committee which was received after the relevant meeting.

There were no communications.

To receive the record of proceedings of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 21^st July, 2021, and to approve the accuracy thereof.

Resolved: - That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 21st July, 2021, be approved for signature by the Mayor.

Mover: - Councillor Allen                         Seconder: - Councillor Read

To report on any petitions received by the Council and receive statements in support of petitions in accordance with Petitions Scheme and Council Procedure Rule 13.

No petitions have been received since the previous Council Meeting held on 21^st July, 2021.

No petitions had been received since the previous Council meeting.

To invite Councillors to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests or personal interests they may have in any matter which is to be considered at this meeting, to confirm the nature of those interests and whether they intend to leave the meeting for the consideration of the item.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive questions from members of the public who may wish to ask a general question of the Mayor, Cabinet Member or the Chairman of a Committee in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.

1)    Mr. L Harron was unable to attend the meeting. The Mayor advised that he would receive a written response to his question.

2)    Mr. A Fenwick-Green was unable to attend the meeting. The Mayor advised that he would receive a written response to his question.

3)    Mrs. D Fenwick-Green was unable to attend the meeting. The Mayor advised that she would receive a written response to her question.

Should it be necessary, in the opinion of the Mayor, to consider excluding the press and public from the meeting in relation to any items of urgent business on the grounds that private information is likely to be divulged.

There are no such items at the time of preparing this agenda.

There were no items that required the exclusion of the press or public.

To receive a statement from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.

The Leader welcomed everyone to the meeting of Council being held at Magna.

The Leader advised how pleased he was to share some positive news with the meeting regarding the Council’s long commitment to raise the incomes of the lowest paid staff. The Leader noted that 7 years ago it had been agreed with trade union colleagues that all directly employed staff would receive at least the level of the Real Living Wage and that in 2019 it had been agreed with the Council’s home care providers that they too would pay at that level. The Leader advised that these actions had raised the incomes of more than 2,000 people in the Borough.

The Leader noted that in May 2021 the Council had made a commitment to achieve accredited “Real Living Wage Employer” status. The Leader advised that he was delighted to be able to confirm that this commitment had now been kept with the Council now being an accredited Living Wage employer. The Leader noted that the Real Living Wage, currently paid at a minimum of £9.50 per hour, was providing a major boost to the wellbeing of many families and local economies.

The Leader advised that since implementing the Council’s Social Value Policy, the Council had continued to negotiate Living Wage implementation with the Council’s contractors and, whilst there was still more to do, the Council would complete the remainder of the negotiations over the next few years as they came up for renewal in line with the Council’s Living Wage accreditation.  The Leader noted that the accreditation of “Living Wage Employer” by the Living Wage Foundation was a key milestone in the Council’s journey of social value, adding that if it helped to keep more money in the local economy then that would be greatly welcomed.

The Leader advised that since the last Council Meeting Kimberworth Children’s Home had received an overall a rating of “good” during a recent inspection. The Leader stated that was positive achievement to have another home on its first Ofsted inspection to have achieved a “good” overall rating. The Leader advised that the Council’s investment in new, purpose built residential care facilities were delivering real improvements in the lives of the children for whom all Elected Members were corporate parents.

The Leader advised that he was sure that all Members would join him in thanking all of those who had worked to create a different but wonderful Rotherham Show, noting that it had been a wonderful weekend with much thought having been given to running a large outdoor event safely and that enabled much needed entertainment and joy.  The Leader thanked the Events Team, staff and volunteers who had helped bring the event together.

The Leader provided an update on the latest situation with regard to Covid-19 in Rotherham and encouraged everyone to carry on acting safely and to get vaccinated when invited to do so. 

To note the minutes of the Cabinet Meetings held on 19^th July and 16^th August, 2021.

Resolved: - That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 19th July and 16th August, 2021 be received.

Mover: - Councillor Read                        Seconder: - Councillor Allen

To formally notify Council of the appointment of the Assistant Director Legal Services and Monitoring Officer and to approve the appointment as the Council’s Monitoring Officer.

Consideration was given to a report that detailed the appointment of a new Assistant Director - Legal Services and that also sought Council approval for their appointment as the Council’s Monitoring Officer.

Resolved:  -

1)    That the appointment of Mr. Philip Horsfield as Assistant Director - Legal Services, be noted.

2)    That with effect of 8th November, 2021, Mr. Philip Horsfield be appointed as the Council’s Monitoring Officer.

Mover: - Councillor Alam                        Seconder: - Councillor Read

To consider the report and approve the Audit Committee Annual Report 2020/21.

Consideration was given to a report that sought approval for the Audit Committee Annual Report 2020/21 that had been endorsed by the Audit Committee at its meeting held on 29th July, 2021 (Minute No.28).

It was noted that the purpose of the Audit Annual Report 2020/21 was to bring together in one document a summary of the work that had been undertaken by the Council’s Audit Committee. The production of the report complied with current best practice for audit committees and allowed the Audit Committee to demonstrate that it had fulfilled its terms of reference and to share its achievements with the Council.

Resolved: - That the Audit Committee Annual Report 2020/21 be approved.

Mover: - Councillor Baker-Rodgers         Seconder: - Councillor Browne

To inform Council of amendments to the nomination of Members to serve on Committees, Boards and Panels.

Consideration was given to a report that sought approval for amendments to the membership of various Committees, Boards and Panels.

Resolved: -

That the amendments to the memberships of the following Committees, Boards and Panels of the Council, as detailed below, be approved, and that the amendments be implemented from 29th September, 2021:-

Adoption Panel

Councillor Hughes to be appointed.

Corporate Parenting Panel

Councillor Bird to be appointed.

Councillor Brown to be appointed.

Councillor Castledine-Dack to be appointed.

Councillor Griffin to be appointed.

Councillor McClure to be removed.

Councillor Yasseen to be appointed.

Fostering Panel:

Councillor Bird to be appointed.

Health Select Commission

Councillor A. Carter to be removed.

Councillor Miro to be appointed.

Improving Lives Select Commission

Councillor Burnett to be removed.

Councillor Bacon to be appointed.

Licensing Board

Councillor Whomersley to be removed.

Planning Board

Councillor A. Carter to be appointed.

Councillor Khan – to be appointed as a reserve member on the Planning Board.

Councillor Miro to be removed.

Standards and Ethics Committee

Parish Council representatives to the Standards and Ethics Committee

Councillor A. Buckley (Brinsworth Parish Council) to be appointed.

Councillor M. Carroll (Woodsetts Parish Council) to be appointed.

Councillor R. Swann (Woodsetts Parish Council) to be appointed.

Mover: - Councillor Read                        Seconder: - Councillor Allen

To consider amendments to various parts of the Council’s Constitution following a periodic review by the Constitution Working Group.

Consideration was given to a report that had been submitted  for approval that detailed a series of amendments to various parts of the Council’s Constitution following a periodic review of the Constitution by the Constitution Working Group.

Resolved: -

1)    That the revised Financial and Procurement Procedure Rules be approved.

2)    That the revisions to Constitution Appendix 4 - Council Procedure Rules (Part 1 - Procedure Rule 8 - Appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Council and Part 1 - Procedure Rule 4 – Budget Council Meetings), be approved.

3)    That the published Constitution be updated to reflect the approved amendments.

Mover: - Councillor Read                        Seconder: - Councillor Allen

To note the Cabinet’s response to the recommendations arising from the scrutiny review of Building Use.

Consideration was given to a report that detailed the Cabinet’s response to the Scrutiny Review of Building Use. It was noted that under the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, Cabinet was required to respond to any recommendations made by scrutiny. At its meeting held on 20th September, 2021, Cabinet had considered and agreed a response to the report (Minute No.52).

The full Cabinet response had been attached as an appendix to the officer’s report.

Resolved: - That Cabinet’s response to the scrutiny review of Building Use, as set out at Appendix A of the report, be noted.

Mover: - Councillor Alam                        Seconder: - Councillor Lelliott

That this Council notes:-

The Government is currently continuing to press ahead with its plans to cut £20 per week from recipients of Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit on the 6^th October.

This means almost thirty thousand households in our borough will suffer from increased anxiety over how to make ends meet, as £20 each week is removed from an already extremely tight budget.  Figures from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation show that 16,380 of the households in the borough of Rotherham are families with children.

The devastating impact of this proposed cut is unimaginable, unnecessary, and unconscionable.

Therefore, this Council resolves to call on the Government to protect the most vulnerable households in our borough and across the country by not withdrawing £20 per week from those with the lowest incomes in our society.

Mover:-  Councillor Sheppard                 Seconder:-  Councillor Allen

In accordance with Rule of Procedure 19 (2) Councillor Sheppard requested that a recorded vote should be taken on the proposed motion. In accordance with the Rule of Procedure 5 Members stood to show their support for a recorded vote to be taken on the motion.

It was moved by Councillor Sheppard and seconded by Councillor Allen:

“That this Council notes: -

The Government is currently continuing to press ahead with its plans to cut £20 per week from recipients of Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit on 6th October.

This means almost 30,000 households in our Borough will suffer from increased anxiety over how to make ends meet, as £20 each week is removed from an already extremely tight budget.  Figures from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation show that 16,380 of the households in the Borough of Rotherham are families with children.

The devastating impact of this proposed cut is unimaginable, unnecessary and unconscionable.

Therefore, this Council resolves to call on the Government to protect the most vulnerable households in our Borough and across the country by not withdrawing £20 per week from those with the lowest incomes in our society.”

At this point it was moved by Councillor A. Carter and seconded by Councillor Miro that the motion be amended as follows.

“That this Council notes: -

The Government is currently continuing to press ahead with its plans to cut £20 per week from recipients of Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit on the 6th October.

This means almost 30,000 households in our Borough will suffer from increased anxiety over how to make ends meet, as £20 each week is removed from an already extremely tight budget. Figures from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation show that 16,380 of the households in the Borough of Rotherham are families with children.

The devastating impact of this proposed cut is unimaginable, unnecessary, and unconscionable.

INSERT: -

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation reports that the number of workers in poverty has increased in recent years. Just under half of workers in poverty are full-time employees, just over 30 per cent are part-time employees and around 20 per cent are self-employed.

Therefore, this Council resolves to call on the Government to: -

·            protect the most vulnerable households in our Borough and across the country by not withdrawing £20 per week from those with the lowest incomes in our society;

INSERT: -

·            increase the National Living Wage to the Living Wage recommended by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to help improve the lives of workers who are living in poverty.”

On being put to the vote the amendment to the motion was declared as lost.

The substantive motion (as moved by Councillor Sheppard and seconded by Councillor Allen) was now debated.

In accordance with Rule of Procedure 19 (1) a recorded vote was taken on the motion as follows:

FOR: Councillors Alam, Allen, Andrews, Atkin, Aveyard, Baker-Rogers, Beck, Bennett-Sylvester, Bird, Brookes, Browne, A. Carter, C. Carter, Clark, Cooksey, Cowen, Cusworth, Elliott, Ellis, Griffin, Haleem, Havard, Hoddinott, Hughes,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

This Council notes:-

·       1 in 10 workers have experienced ‘fire and rehire’ - told to reapply for their jobs on worse pay, terms and conditions or face the sack, with BME workers facing this at twice the rate of white workers since March 2020 (TUC research, January 2021). A quarter of all workers have experienced a worsening of their terms and conditions – including a cut in their pay - since the pandemic began.

·       That while the prime minister has called the practice “unacceptable” he has continually refused to take action to outlaw the practice, raising concerns that he will not intervene in this race to the bottom as an escalating number of employers, across all sectors, take advantage of our weak employment protections and force their staff to accept worse terms and conditions, leaving many having to work longer hours and for lower pay, with what can be devastating consequences for workers and their families.

·       Even before the pandemic, 1 in 9 workers – 3.8 million people – were already ‘insecure’, meaning they did not have access to basic rights at work and could be dismissed at will; including those on zero hour contracts and agency workers.

·       Despite austerity, as a Labour led council we pay our employees the real living wage. It is important that working people have a decent wage to live off and the council is committed to working towards being a Living Wage Employer and encouraging others to do the same.

·       We have been committed to improving pay and conditions and preventing exploitation by signing up to initiatives such as Unison’s Ethical Care Charter and the Charter against Modern Slavery. The latter of which placed conditions on our suppliers including the right to join a trade union.

·       We have strengthened our community wealth building approach and introduced a social value policy to ensure that good employment practice and support for local business is prioritised.

This Council, therefore, resolves to:-

·       Ensure local residents are protected against such unscrupulous employers and agrees to ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister demanding he outlaw fire and rehire and act now to keep his promise to local residents to protect their employment terms and conditions.

·       Not use fire and rehire itself as an employer and discourage its use by council contractors, and to ensure the council has a procurement practice that means we are working with contractors that have good employment, trade union, equality and environmental records.

·       Promote the increasing number of progressive local employers prioritising their employees’ standard of living and their wellbeing, work with our anchor institutions and key partners to bring forward plans to ensure all have best practice employment and to work with recognised trade unions on this.

·       Support the TUC campaign for a ‘New Deal for Working People’.

Mover:-  Councillor Cooksey                   Seconder:-  Councillor Yasseen

It was moved by Councillor Cooksey and seconded by Councillor Yasseen that:

“This Council notes: -

·       1 in 10 workers have experienced ‘fire and rehire’ - told to reapply for their jobs on worse pay, terms and conditions or face the sack, with BME workers facing this at twice the rate of white workers since March 2020 (TUC research, January 2021). A quarter of all workers have experienced a worsening of their terms and conditions – including a cut in their pay - since the pandemic began.

·       That while the Prime Minister has called the practice “unacceptable”, he has continually refused to take action to outlaw the practice, raising concerns that he will not intervene in this race to the bottom as an escalating number of employers, across all sectors, take advantage of our weak employment protections and force their staff to accept worse terms and conditions, leaving many having to work longer hours and for lower pay, with what can be devastating consequences for workers and their families.

·       Even before the pandemic, 1 in 9 workers – 3.8 million people – were already ‘insecure’, meaning they did not have access to basic rights at work and could be dismissed at will; including those on zero hour contracts and agency workers.

·       Despite austerity, as a Labour-led Council we pay our employees the Real Living Wage. It is important that working people have a decent wage to live off and the Council is committed to working towards being a Living Wage Employer and encouraging others to do the same.

·       We have been committed to improving pay and conditions and preventing exploitation by signing up to initiatives such as Unison’s Ethical Care Charter and the Charter against Modern Slavery. The latter of which placed conditions on our suppliers including the right to join a trade union.

·       We have strengthened our community wealth building approach and introduced a Social Value Policy to ensure that good employment practice and support for local business is prioritised.

This Council, therefore, resolves to: -

·       Ensure local residents are protected against such unscrupulous employers and agrees to ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister demanding he outlaw fire and rehire and act now to keep his promise to local residents to protect their employment terms and conditions.

·       Not use fire and rehire itself as an employer and discourage its use by Council contractors, and to ensure the Council has a procurement practice that means we are working with contractors that have good employment, trade union, equality and environmental records.

·       Promote the increasing number of progressive local employers prioritising their employees’ standard of living and their wellbeing, work with our anchor institutions and key partners to bring forward plans to ensure all have best practice employment and to work with recognised trade unions on this.

·       Support the TUC campaign for a ‘New Deal for Working People’.”

At this point it was moved by Councillor Miro and seconded by Councillor C. Carter that the motion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

Each November, communities come together to honour those who have fought to defend our freedoms, and pay respects to our fallen soldiers.

 
Remembrance Day Parades are a feature of these acts of commemoration up and down the country, but in our Borough they are under threat.

In the past, road closures to allow parades to go ahead in villages across the Borough have been facilitated by South Yorkshire Police, but a change in police policy means this will no longer be the case. Instead, local event organisers will need to apply to RMBC for a temporary road closure, provide a traffic management plan, and use volunteers or a traffic management company to facilitate closures.

At present, the process for doing so is opaque and no information or guidance from RMBC is publicly available. The costs for smaller scale event organisers may also be prohibitive.

Unless the Council takes action, Remembrance Day Parades are unlikely to go ahead in villages where they usually take place.

 
Therefore, we call on the Council to:-

-               Set out a clear process for community event organisers to apply for temporary road closures for Remembrance Day Parades and other community events;

-       Provide written guidance, a template traffic management plan, a template risk assessment, and Officer support to event organisers;

-               Share the costs associated with road closures to enable Remembrance Day Parades with organisers, in recognition of the important role these events have within communities and out of respect for the armed forces;

-               Make all reasonable efforts to assist community organisers and enable Remembrance Day Parades to go ahead this year.

Mover:- Councillor Barley                        Seconder: Councillor Tinsley

It was moved by Councillor Barley and seconded by Councillor Tinsley:

“Each November, communities come together to honour those who have fought to defend our freedoms, and pay respects to our fallen soldiers.

 
Remembrance Day Parades are a feature of these acts of commemoration up and down the country, but in our Borough they are under threat.

In the past, road closures to allow parades to go ahead in villages across the Borough have been facilitated by South Yorkshire Police, but a change in police policy means this will no longer be the case. Instead, local event organisers will need to apply to RMBC for a temporary road closure, provide a traffic management plan, and use volunteers or a traffic management company to facilitate closures.

At present, the process for doing so is opaque and no information or guidance from RMBC is publicly available. The costs for smaller scale event organisers may also be prohibitive.

 
Unless the Council takes action, Remembrance Day Parades are unlikely to go ahead in villages where they usually take place.

 
Therefore, we call on the Council to: -

·       Set out a clear process for community event organisers to apply for temporary road closures for Remembrance Day Parades and other community events;

·       Provide written guidance, a template traffic management plan, a template risk assessment, and Officer support to event organisers;

·       Share the costs associated with road closures to enable Remembrance Day Parades with organisers, in recognition of the important role these events have within communities and out of respect for the armed forces;

·       Make all reasonable efforts to assist community organisers and enable Remembrance Day Parades to go ahead this year.””

At this point it was moved by Councillor C. Carter and seconded by Councillor A. Carter that the motion be amended as follows:

“Each November, communities come together to honour those who have fought to defend our freedoms,

DELETE: -

The word “and”

INSERT: -

recognise the sacrifice that those abroad (such as interpreters) have made supporting our troops in conflicts, and acknowledge our responsibility to work for the peace that they fought to achieve.

TO READ:-

Each November, communities come together to honour those who have fought to defend our freedoms, pay respects to our fallen soldiers, recognise the sacrifice that those abroad (such as interpreters) have made supporting our troops in conflicts, and acknowledge our responsibility to work for the peace that they fought to achieve.

Remembrance Day Parades are a feature of these acts of commemoration up and down the country, but in our Borough they are under threat.

In the past, road closures to allow parades to go ahead in villages across the Borough have been facilitated by South Yorkshire Police, but a change in police policy means this will no longer be the case. Instead, local event organisers will need to apply to RMBC for a temporary road closure, provide a traffic management plan, and use volunteers or a traffic management company to facilitate closures.

At present, the process for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Audit Committee.

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved: - That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 29th July, 2021, be adopted.

Mover: - Councillor Baker-Rodgers         Seconder: - Councillor Browne

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Planning Board.

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved: - That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the meetings of the Planning Board held on 22nd July and 12th August, 2021, be adopted.

Mover: - Councillor Atkin                        Seconder: - Councillor Bird

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Licensing Board Sub-Committee and Licensing Sub-Committee.

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved: - That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 15th July and 16th September 2021 and of the meeting of the Licensing Board Sub-Committee held on 13th September, 2021, be adopted.

Mover: - Councillor Ellis                         Seconder: - Councillor Hughes

To put questions, if any, to the designated Members on the discharge of functions of the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority and South Yorkshire Pensions Authority, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11(5).

No questions had been submitted.

To put questions, if any, to Cabinet Members and Committee Chairpersons (or their representatives) under Council Procedure Rules 11(1) and 11(3).

(1) Councillor Hoddinott referred to families feeling the pressure of increasing bills and costs, including the cost of school uniforms and asked how could the Council help low income families facing these problems?

The Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion explained the Council had been able to make good use of COVID response funding to support low income families and those struggling with utility costs. During 2021, the Council had been able to contribute to school uniform costs for 10,276 children. Support for low income households towards utility costs helped a further 4,535 households with their bills.

Prioritisation for school uniform support was based on children who qualified for free school meals which was then applied to year groups, with those starting in a new school, reception year children and year seven pupils being amongst the first to be supported. Children from asylum seeker families were also helped along with some siblings from larger families. Schools were directly involved in providing vouchers for the children. The combination of using free school meals eligibility and the engagement of schools to provide the vouchers meant that no-one missed out which was key or had to go through any application process. Everyone eligible received support.

Alongside welfare rights and advice, support with Council Tax, free school meals vouchers, and the Community Food Network, the Council was progressing the support for social supermarkets, seeking the appointment of an officer to lead on this work, in addition to making available grant support, as committed in budget proposals earlier this year. This would support the development of 3 new social supermarkets to provide an affordable way to buy food for residents who needed it, and who were being cruelly let down by this Government.

In a supplementary question Councillor Hoddinott welcomed the support being provided by the Council, but expressed concern about the costs for school uniforms when some schools were branding items of clothing which meant doubling the cost.  She asked the Cabinet Member if he would support the calls to bring forward this statutory guidance.  Mike Amesbury M.P. had put forward a Private Members’ Bill to reduce the cost, but the Government was yet to bring in the statutory guidance and this was very much needed going forward.

Councillor Sheppard acknowledged how costs on uniforms could soon increase when changes or brands were made and gave examples of this across the country where children were sent home for not being compliant.  The guidance was very much needed and he fully supported the work of Mike Amesbury and would do whatever he could to back this.

(2)  Councillor Jones asked could the Leader explain his interpretation of the Motion passed by full Council in February, 2020, which stated “prior to any further planning permission, variations or amendments in relation to the Grange Park site, including its access, access lane and any alteration to entrances or junctions?”

The Leader confirmed the wording before that related to consultation on planning permission.  His interpretation, looking how it appeared now,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Any other public items which the Mayor determines are urgent.

There were no urgent items of business.